Sakumo

Sakumo is a Japanese given name and surname. It can be found in various contexts, with different kanji spellings that determine meaning. The name is relatively uncommon in everyday use.

In popular culture, Sakumo is best known as the given name of the character Hatake Sakumo in the Naruto manga and anime series. Hatake Sakumo, often called White Fang of the Leaf, was a renowned Jonin from Konohagakure and the father of Kakashi Hatake. In the series, his reputation for prowess was tempered by a controversial decision during a mission, in which he prioritized the safety of his comrades over the mission objective. The choice led to severe criticism from the village and contributed to a personal and professional decline, a backstory explored through flashbacks. His legacy informs Kakashi's own attitudes toward duty and loyalty.

Outside of fiction, Sakumo remains a relatively rare personal name in Japan, and meanings vary by the kanji chosen. The name may appear in literature or media as a surname or given name but does not have a single widely recognized historical figure associated with it.